Smarty Arty

Poi Balls of Fire

C Rand-Thompson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:35:30 +0000

When I was in Junior High School, we did a lot of dancing. We made “Poi Balls” and sticks (I am sorry to say I’ve forgotten the proper name of the sticks, probably Poi Sticks. Heck I’m not really sure the balls-on-a-string we all made were actually called Poi Balls, other than by us). We did elaborate, long dances with those balls and sticks, it seems like it was hundreds of us, but it was probably closer to 50 girls.

Fifty girls all twirling balls on string and dancing rhythmically and in unison, in a pseudo-Polynesian manner to the longest pop songs ever endured by any man, woman or child–seems like it was always the Doobie Brothers.

We-e-ell, yesterday I was doodling around and came across this Poi Fire Dancing… Man, if they’d said, “Now girls, imagine it’s a hot, balmy night, it’s dark, you smell ginger and plumeria and gardenia on the breeze… Knowing instinctively what to do, you dip your poi balls in fuel, massaging them to make sure they’re fully saturated, gently wring them out and then light them on fire.”

“Oh, and by the way girls, you’re going to need wicks on chains girls, wicks on chains. Burning poi balls flying through the air = strictly no good. Now dance!” Man , that would have been a horse of a different color, would have put a whole new spin on it, if you know what mean. Would have looked a lot like this… well, almost.

Maybe it’s time to pick up the old poi balls and give them a twirl… after I mow.

Old Crow Medicine Show | Wagon Wheel

C Rand-Thompson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:43:40 +0000

Out here in the sticks, I listen to a lot of KPIG, a lot of KAZU, KZSC, KUSP and a whole lot of Last.fm, because a body can only abide so much “canned” music. It gets to be like loving yourself, if you always have to choose your own music!

With a listening diet like that, is it any wonder this is one of my favorite songs?

Squeak Carnwath at the Oakland Museum of California

C Rand-Thompson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:27:05 +0000

If you’re still pissed-off about having missed Louise Bourgeois at LACMA this spring,

Louise Bourgeois on YouTube

get yourself out in time to see, Squeak Carnwath: Painting is No Ordinary Object at the Oakland Museum of California! No need to go around creating “Rosebuds” for yourself! The exhibition runs through August 23rd.

Everything (2), Squeak Carnwath, 2002, Oil and alkyd on canvas over panel, 77 x 154 inches (2 panels)

The Last Airbender Trailer

C Rand-Thompson — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:20:11 +0000

Imagine my surprise when I found out that Avatar: the Last Airbender, the cartoon series was the next / latest in a long series of animated successes to be made into a flesh and blood movie! Who woulda thunk it? Well, the kids are just thrilled, needless to say–but there, I’ve gone and said it.

Unauthorized Update: SWEETZER, A Film by Wayne Reynolds

C Rand-Thompson — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:42:52 +0000

DVD box art for SWEETZER A Film By Wayne Reynolds

This is an unauthorized update:
Rumor has it that SWEETZER, Wayne Reynold’s feature length comedy, is close to being ready for release–at least based upon the fact that the DVD box artwork was recently completed. I can’t wait for Netflix to start shipping SWEETZER, it’s already in my queue!

Here’s a trailer, which I am pretty sure is not family friendly–but I don’t know your family.

Daria Salus

C Rand-Thompson — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:51:08 +0000

Sometimes you meet some one by chance and years later, you realize how stupefying that person really is, Daria Salus is such a person. If there is a more focused, more prolific jewelry artist, I am not aware of her/m.

Daria, unlike so many people, makes the pieces–and then, wait for it–SELLS THEM! Not only that, she’s got a network of galleries that spans from the East Bay to Carmel Valley, and she is a fixture on the Art Festival scene. I generally get at least one notice from her, every month, telling me where and when I can catch her at whatever the coolest Art Festival is, that month.

Oh, her work is fabulous. I forgot to mention that. I appreciate the fact that she has a fully functional website, allowing customers to shop her current pieces, purchase one if they so choose, and keep abreast of her upcoming shows and events. When I grow up, I want to be more like Daria!

Carol Holaday

C Rand-Thompson — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:52:43 +0000

If you live in the Monterey Bay area and make jewelry or “metal art”, you’ve probably heard of Carol Holaday. If you aren’t already familiar with her, or her work, let me introduce you to this local treasure.

Carol is an artist, historically working in enamels, but has caught the glasswork bead bug. Her pieces–glass and metal– are always exquisite, with meticulous attention to detail. Her website is, of course, beautiful and inspiring. It is one of those sites that falls into the “the more you read, the more you learn” category. Her breadth is pretty amazing: photography, metal fabrication, enamels and now bead making.

You can gain from her experience for the pittance that is Community College tuition. You’ll find her most Fridays teaching enamels at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC, to locals). Fall, Spring and Summer, if it’s Friday, it’s enamels!

Where Are the Artists?

C Rand-Thompson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:01:17 +0000

and What are They Doing?

Ever wonder? Turns out, as an artist, I have at least an inkling. The underlying point of this blog is to introduce local artists, and if possible, give you an idea where / when to find their work–sometimes the artist(s) too. The focus is primarily on California artists, and particularly those living in the Monterey Bay, and Central Coast areas. Los Angeles and San Francisco are included, because they are the Art Centers of California–in that particular order.

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